ACTION! Meeting people!

[killedwithlove]

Who: Cole and anyone who stands still long enough to be talked to
Broadcast: No.
Action: One ALL fleet ships except The Tourist and The Three Twins
When: During the week.

Cole doesn't like the communicators. He finds it too disorientating to talk to people and have that vast distance between them.

Instead, he's setting out to visit each of the ships and meet the people on board. He likes people and he likes meeting and talking with people and he'd far rather do that face to face.

Don't worry. He doesn't take up much space and he takes up no supplies. He just wants to meet people.

But... he gives The Tourist and The Three Twins a wide berth. Fenris had been very clear that he was not to see Cole again and Cole will respect that by avoiding the places he seems to be.

Anyone from those ships will have to be visitors somewhere else to run into Cole.

Comments

[killedwithlove]

[Cole does use a knuckle to rub his ear. It's a concession.]

I wouldn't try and take him away. It would hurt both of you.

[forcemageure]

I was thinking more he might try to sneak out under your hat.

[ This is happening. ]

[killedwithlove]

If he wanted to leave, he'd tell me and then I'd ask you. I don't think he'd fit under my hat.

[forcemageure]

[ Slay might actually! Under the scraggly fur is a pretty slender cat. ]

He'd tell you. Really. In so many words, or...?

[ In other words, does Cole actually receive the equivalent of language from animals, or just impressions. ]

[killedwithlove]

[Slay is getting a very thorough under the chin scratch now.]

Not with words. But everyone and everything will tell you plenty without words.

[forcemageure]

[ Hawke hehs under his breath. ]

A fair point. What's he telling you now?

[killedwithlove]

That he's comfortable and wants me to keep scratching him under the chin... and down onto the chest?

[He slides his hand down to oblige.]

People are harder, because they can say one thing and say another.

[forcemageure]

You mean ...say one thing but another comes across? Like someone who says they're fine when they're not.

[ Hawke knows no such people like that, naturally. He's leaning a little more forward from the counter now; Cole's thought processes are interesting as long as they're not talking about--well, not Hawke. ]

[killedwithlove]

Sort of. Yes. They say one thing with words, but they're saying other things.

No other thing does that. Just people.

[forcemageure]

Animals can afford to be more straightforward, I suppose.

[ It costs too much, he thinks. Something for nothing, with people, is so rare as to seem anomalous. ]

[killedwithlove]

Maybe. I don't know. I'm still learning about being a person.

[He ducks his head to let Slay smooch against his cheek.]

Animals have simple needs to make them happy. They're easy to help. I like helping people, but it takes more effort.

[forcemageure]

[ Slay attempts to nibble a little on said cheek; it's not a hostile gesture, he's just the type of cat who includes teeth and claws in affection. ]

If you're a spirit, then [ he's puzzling this out ]...then Compassion is your purpose. But if you're a person--do you ever think about doing anything else? Ever have--I don't know, off day?

[ He's wondering a little about what Fenris said, that he could earn the right to stop--doing what he does, but he can't imagine doing anything else at this point, or even what else he's for. ]

[killedwithlove]

[Cole doesn't seem to mind a bit of roughness in Slay's love.]

I was Compassion. I knew nothing but empathy and helping those who needed me. Now, I'm Cole. I like helping others. I want to help.

But I can feel more than just compassion. I can be angry, without being a demon! I can be curious and want to learn. I can choose to not help someone.

Being a person means feeling different things. Sometimes they're contradictory!

[forcemageure]

[ Hawke snorts, friendly. ]

Most of the time they are. You had it easier as a spirit, I suspect.

[killedwithlove]

It isn't about easier.

This was how I could help.

[forcemageure]

Be a person longer and you might change your mind.

[ It's so difficult being a cynic and an optimist all at the same time. ]

[killedwithlove]

No.

Being a person isn't easy. But being a spirit is being passive. I couldn't help people, just watch, wait, want to reach out and help. I couldn't help.

I've been a person for... a few years? And it's hard. But it's worth it.

[forcemageure]

How does a spirit just decide that, anyway?

[ he ...sort of knows how this works, but uh. Cole does not appear to be possessing anyone. ]

[killedwithlove]

Decide what?

[To be this side? He doesn't know. He never made a decision. It just happened.]